Italian authorities arrested hardcore supporters of AC Milan and Inter Milan on Monday. The arrests are part of an investigation into illegal profits around football matches and mafia involvement in the “ultras” groups. Finance police said several key figures in the ultras were involved in extortion, assault, and other crimes.
Mafia Involvement in Ultras Groups
The crimes involved members of both AC Milan and Inter Milan ultras. They allegedly committed illegal activities around the San Siro stadium, including ticket touting, controlling parking, and selling goods illegally. The ultras reportedly accepted money from people without tickets and let them enter the stadium.
The investigation, which lasted two years, involved wiretaps that recorded conversations between the ultras leaders. In total, police arrested 19 people, including the heads of the Milan and Inter ultras, Luca Lucci and Renato Bosetti.
Mafia Links and Leadership Conflicts
Authorities uncovered links between Inter ultras and the ‘Ndrangheta, a powerful mafia clan. Prosecutor Marcello Viola revealed that Bosetti’s predecessors allowed mafia figures from the Bellocco clan to infiltrate the stands. Antonio Bellocco, a convicted criminal, represented the mafia in the ultras groups.
Andrea Beretta, another ultras leader, killed Bellocco during an altercation outside a boxing gym. Beretta, fearing for his life, stabbed Bellocco to death. After the killing, police placed Beretta’s family under protection to prevent reprisals from the ‘Ndrangheta.
Before Beretta, the Curva Nord was led by Vittorio Boiocchi, a criminal who was shot dead in October 2022. Italian media reported that Boiocchi bragged about earning €80,000 monthly through his position as an ultras leader.
Financial Gains and Extortion
The ultras profited from various activities on matchdays at San Siro, but exact earnings remain unclear. Prosecutor Viola mentioned a businessman who paid €4,000 monthly to run a parking lot and faced extortion by the ultras.
AC Milan ultras were also involved in extortion, but they had no direct links to the mafia. Viola said that organised crime figures attempted to collaborate with Milan ultras, but no deals were made.
Some of those arrested, including Lucci, had prior convictions for drug dealing. They also extorted nightclubs in Sardinia, where they worked as bodyguards.
Clubs Uninvolved, but Impacted
Prosecutors clarified that neither AC Milan nor Inter Milan were under investigation. Club management had no involvement in the ultras’ illegal activities. Instead, the clubs were victims of their supporters’ criminal actions. Giovanni Melillo, head of Italy’s anti-mafia authority, said not all ultras members are criminals, but a large part of the ultras scene engages in illegal activities.
Football Violence and Safety Concerns
The arrests come amid rising violence among Italian football fans. Clashes between Genoa and Sampdoria supporters in last week’s Italian Cup match led to multiple injuries. As a result, Genoa played their match against Juventus behind closed doors, while Sampdoria fans were banned from attending their team’s away game.
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi declined to comment on the arrests during a press conference, citing the ongoing investigation. Inter faces Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League, but Serbian fans are banned due to concerns over violence.
Wiretaps revealed that Ferdico, an Inter ultras leader, pressured Inzaghi for more tickets to the 2023 Champions League final, which Inter lost to Manchester City. This highlighted the influence ultras leaders tried to exert on club decisions.
Conclusion: Combating Crime in Italian Football
The arrests of AC Milan and Inter Milan ultras mark a significant step in combating organised crime in football. The mafia’s infiltration into ultras groups adds a troubling element to the sport. Italian authorities are working hard to ensure the safety of football matches and break the mafia’s influence in fan groups. Stay updated with the latest from IPL365.
